Barrio Gotico or El Gotic which is also known as "Gothic Quarters" in Catalan Spanish is the medieval centre and heart of Barcelona. Barrio Gotico is a city built by the Roman during their settlement in the medieval years. It is Barcelona's oldest area. El Gotic stretches from La Rambla to Via Laietana which are districts, all the way to the seafront of Ronda de Sant Pere. Very famous artist, Picasso and Joan Miro lived and worked in Barrio Gotico from 1895-1904.
The Romans settled in Spain in 206 B.C. when they invaded the Iberian Peninsula.
Romans' contribution to Spain were significant. This includes language, government, cultures, religion, architecture, and infrastructure. Rome ruled majority of Spain for 500 years and by 2nd century B.C. it was a part of Roman growing empire. Spain provided food to Rome such as wine, olive oil and metal. Roman engineers also set up bridges to cross rivers and gullies. Today there are still 3 remaining arched-bridge built by the Romans. The Roman entertainment of blood sports was also adopted by the Spaniards. The ruins of the amphitheater in Meseta confirms the adoption of combat entertainment between gladiators and animals. Spaniards in central Spain also adopted the Roman tradition of bathing. In the city of Segobriga an intramural of bath with locker room was found. Roman so-called forum was another contribution. Forum is a roman market Spaniards adopted from Roman, now they are plaza and shopping centers. Lastly, religion is the major influence of Roman to Spain. Today Roman catholicism is the leading religion in the country containing 76% of Spain Population.
Today the Roman ruin can be found in the heart of Barcelona. The Barrio Gotico and Barcino are places in Barcelona where Roman ruins can be found.
Cathedral Le Seu
In the center of Barri Gotic there is the city's gothic cathedral known as Le Seu. The church was named after Barcelona's patron Saint Eulalia. During 343 A.D. Roman Empire build a basilica , it was destroyed and replaced by a roman cathedral in 1052. A chapel was added in 1267 named after Santa Llucia. In 1298 the cathedral as destroyed except for the chapel. A new cathedral was build under King Jaume II which is now tody the Gothic Cathedral of Le Seu.
La juderia is translated to Jewish quarter. La juderia or the old jewish quarter are full of narrow streets. The building are like style houses apartment with balconies decorated with flower pots. It was build during the medieval era of Barcelona.
La Rambla is the most famous street in Barcelona. This boulevard connects the Placa de Catalunya which is a busy square, to the Monument a Colom which is a monument in honor of Chrisoffel Columbus. This street is always crowded by both tourist and locals. La Rambla street used to be a river and university build along it. In the 19th century the river dried up and the walls along the old university was destroyed.
3 Questions:
- Who are the famous people who lived in Barrio Gotico ? And what years were they living in El Gotic ?
- What significant influence did Rome have in Spain ?
- What is La Rambla used to be ?
Work Cited Page:
"Le Seu Cathedral" Online: A View on cities. 25 March 2010. <http://www.aviewoncities.com/barcelona/barcelonacathedral.htm/>
"Barrio Goticol" Online: Barcelona Internet. 25 March 2010. <http://www.bcninternet.com/touristinfo.php?contentid=271>
"The Roman Legacy of Spain" Online: Spain Exchange. 25 March 2010. <http://www.spainexchange.com/travel_spain/article-73.htm>
I learned something new today, always a great thing.
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ReplyDeleteI can't believe la rambla used to be a river**
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